Johnny works in a factory and billy works downtown
Terry works in a rock 'n' roll band looking for that million-dollar sound
Me i got a little job down in darlington but some nights i don't go
Some nights i go to the drive-in and some night i stay home

You see i followed that dream just like those guys do way up on the screen
With a built-up challenger down route 9
Through the dead ends and all the bad scenes
And when the promise was broken i cashed in a few of my old dreams

You see i built that challenger by myself
But i needed money and so i sold it
And i lived a secret i should have kept to myself
But i got drunk one night and i told it
All my life i fought that fight
The one that i can't ever win
And everyday it just gets harder to live
The dreams i'm believing in
Thunder road
Oh baby you were so right
Thunder road
There's something dying on the highway tonight

Well now my daddy taught me how to walk quiet
And how to make my peace with the past
And i learned real good to tighten up inside
And I don't say nothin' unless i'm asked.

When the promise is broken you go on livin'
But it takes something from down in your soul
Like when the truth is spoken
And it don't make no difference
Something in your heart turns cold

You see i followed that dream, me and some guys
Through the dead ends and all the two-bit bars
When the promise was broken
I was drunk and far away from home
Sleeping with a stranger in the back seat of a borrowed car
Thunder road
And when it washes away with the rain
Thunder road
You learn to walk among the remains
Thunder road
I remember when me and terry we'd always say
Thunder road
We were gonna take it all
And throw it all
Away